Nipah virus particles Electron microscopic image of virus particles isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient infected with Nipah virus. (more) Nipah virus infectious agent Also known as: NiV Written by Manjishtha Bhattacharyya Manjishtha Bhattacharyya is an editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. She holds a PhD in zoology from Vidyasagar University, West Bengal, and has more than seven years of experience in science communication... Manjishtha Bhattacharyya Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Jan. 30, 2026 •History Nipah virus, bat-borne infectious agent that causes a febrile illness in humans. Known as Nipah virus disease, this condition can progress to severe respiratory distress and potentially fatal encephalitis (brain inflammation), with a fatality rate as high as 75 percent. Outbreaks of Nipah virus disease are sporadic and have been limited to South and Southeast Asia. The virus is named for the Malaysian village of Kampung Sungai Nipah, where the first human cases were identified...

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